Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry has been given a one-match ban after a foul-mouthed rant at an official following last weekend’s explosive Manchester derby.
Barry, 31, accepted the FA’s charge that he used abusive and/or insulting language in the aftermath of City’s 3-2 defeat against bitter rivals Manchester United at Eastlands and the England star will miss his club’s trip to Newcastle on Saturday.
“Manchester City’s Gareth Barry will serve a one-match suspension with immediate effect after admitting a breach of FA Rule E3 in that he used abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official following his side’s match against Manchester United on Sunday 9 December 2012,” an FA’s statement read on Thursday.
“Also as part of the standard penalty for this offence, Barry has been fined STG8000 ($A12,300).”
Barry is believed to have been angry that referee Martin Atkinson gave United a free-kick for Carlos Tevez’s challenge on Rafael da Silva, an incident which allowed Robin van Persie to fire in the stoppage-time winner from the set-piece.
It has been reported that the target for Barry’s tirade was fourth official Mark Clattenburg, who was recently cleared of allegations that he racially abused Chelsea’s Nigerian midfielder, John Obi Mikel, during a match against Manchester United.
In posting the FA’s statement on their website, City said: “Both the club and Gareth Barry reluctantly accept the punishment which leads to Gareth being unavailable to take part in the weekend’s match against Newcastle.”
Barry’s absence is another blow to City manager Roberto Mancini as his spluttering side try to keep in touch with league leaders United, who opened up a six-point gap at the top with their victory at Eastlands.
Former Aston Villa midfielder Barry will next be available for selection for City’s league game against Reading on December 22.